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Blade Runner was a masterpiece that wasn't appreciated enough at the time of its release, but it inspired the science fiction genre in a way that is still seen today. It created a futuristic world set right in the familiar city of Los Angeles and made it seem foreign yet sincere. It showed that science fiction can ask questions larger than what any realistic film could. And without Blade Runner, we wouldn't have seen these science-fiction films.

The Terminator (1984)

The Terminator showed a dystopian future where technology does not mean that things get any better for humanity. This slick sci-fi that kickstarted James Cameron's career which overlaps with a lot of what is there in Blade Runner. Replicants might have been replaced with killer robots but artificial intelligence still meant bad news for humanity.

The Matrix (1999)

On the surface, The Matrix seems quite unlike Blade Runner. But when you get down to it, both films are science fiction movies trying to ask and answer larger philosophical questions from two hours of storytelling in made-up worlds. There are few science-fiction films that dared to go beyond flashy technology, and The Matrix continued that legacy of Blade Runner.

Robocop (1987)

Deckard from Blade Runner may or may not be a replicant, but he does work with the LAPD to track down and kill rogue replicants. Much like him, Robocop is an enhanced human who works with police offers to defeat the bad guys. It's a much more simplified version, but it was also a massive success.

Ghost in the Shell (1995)

The clearest descendant of Blade Runner, Ghost in the Shell is one of the most important science fiction films made. It also features a world with in-depth details and some of the most beautiful cyberpunk cinematography to be brought to screen, despite it being an anime film originally.

Minority Report (2002)

Also based on a story by Philip K. Dick, Minority Report continued Ridley Scott's vision of the future. Much like Blade Runner, the futuristic world of Minority Report is full of details that add to the film. It might be set in bright offices, but it still heavily draws from the style of Blade Runner.

Bonus: Blade Runner 2049

Of course, there would never have been a Blade Runner sequel without the original Blade Runner. We wouldn't have been able to see Ryan Goslingand Harrison Ford share the screen space. We wouldn't have seen the miracle of a sequel being made after 30 years. But most importantly, we wouldn't have seen a gorgeous and thought-provoking film that makes future looks more real than anything that came before it.

If you haven't seen Blade Runner 2049 yet, you can book your tickets here. Also, don't forget to read our Blade Runner 2049 review before you catch it in theaters.